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[Editor: Two weeks ago Dawid came third in the Durban Surfski World Cup. This is his report.] The race, which was jointly sponsored by Fenn and Epic (you're excused for the eyebrow raise....), the world's two biggest surfski manufacturers, was held in perfect downwind conditions from Durban to Westbrook.
 Dawid flying downwind (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
What was it like? Well, in short, it was awesome! Everything about the race was just great. There was a top, top, top quality field; all the best South Africans and all the best Aussies were there. The organisation of the event was brilliant and there was not one hiccup or glitch; everything worked like a well oiled machine. They even got to use the safety plans they had put in place when 2 guys got lost after deciding the race was too short and paddled an extra 20kms past the finish line.
Superb Conditions
The conditions were superb: overcast so not too warm, a mild building swell and a perfect wind for great runs! Plus (yes, believe it or not, I'm still adding to the list of brilliance), to top off this most wonderful and absolutely benchmarking surfski race, was the fact that anyone with access to a computer and an internet connection could watch the race as it happened, not only through the Surfski.info commentary we've gotten so used to, but also through live satellite tracking devices on the top of the racer's surfskis. If you couldn't follow it on the internet, well, pre- and post event was covered fantastically on SABC news TV as well as selected newspapers. AND, we all got a t-shirt! How'd you like that!! Let me affirm what you're thinking....if you paddle a surfski and weren't there, you soooooo missed out.
Pics from Dawid
My Race
Now, about my race. Well I followed my race plan to perfection and did exactly what I planned to do. The plan worked for 31k's of the 34km race, but as I got closer to the finish I realised I was too deep and I had to fight the runs to get back to shore. This allowed Hank McGregor and Clint Pretorius (who both had raced exceptionally well) to do what their plans were and finish ahead of the field in a close first-second, with me a close....oh so close third. I can tell you honestly that I had a brilliant race, but unfortunately, my brilliance wasn't necessarily the best yesterday and of two local boys had a one-up on me. Hats off and well done Hank and Clint!!
Memorable Moments
En-route to my brilliant third place finish I paddled a total distance of 34.59km, I was going at a average speed of 17.1km/h and my maximum speed was a cool 30km/h - info supplied by my trusty 305 (Garmin Forerunner). I had two very memorable moments during the race. The first was paddling past one of the 3 massive tankers I passed on my way to the North Coast. It was so huge yet still bobbing around in the swell; I must've been no more than maybe 30meters from it. It was incredible being right next to it way out there, and the cherry was the faces of some crew members who spotted me!! At first they couldn't believe it, but once they realised what was happening they started cheering.
Their cheers are probably what spurred me on to the second memorable moment during the race, the run which propelled me 30km/h. It was so big I felt like Laird Hamilton! I hooked into it after a series of 2 or 3 other big ones shortly after passing the ship. It was most certainly a screamer so naturally I obliged and gave the vocal chords some work to do. What an amazing feeling.
Westbrook
Closing in to Westbrook beach (the finish) one of the TV boats came around and they informed me that Hank had pulled level with me on an in-shore line. I knew immediately my tactical error and what was happening, so I had 3kms to deal with it and get over it. However, as I hit backline I saw Clint "Lighty" Pretorius running up the beach too. Bugger...! Only 200m to deal with it and get over it!!! The 34kms of ocean behind me had dealt the cards and these two boys played their options...as did I. Only difference: my option was worth a 3rd. But all in all, what a great race it turned out to be.
Pics of the finish at Westbrook by Robin Greenwood, courtesy Wayne Ashford
Well done to everyone
We must not forget positions 4 to 220: everyone else who did the race. Some notable names include the Chalupsky brothers coming in just behind me in 4th and 5th; then the first Aussie only....The top 15 was hard to make and 4-15 deserve a serious nod and a mention. Well done everyone including positions 15-220 (especially 219 and 220 - the guys who did twice the distance!)
There were two types of craft out there on Sunday 29 June. One type needed big engines; the other, only heart.
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